While Paulette Rodrigue, professor of teacher education and director of student teaching, who will be retiring after 38 years in the profession, will miss watching her students develop into the next generation of teachers, she is looking forward to having time to delve into her hobbies. Rodrigue, who is an avid reader, gardener and traveler, said one of the first things she is looking forward to about her retirement is taking a trip to Napa Valley, Calif. with her husband, who is an educator as well.

Other plans Rodrigue has for her retirement include collaborating with her daughter, a professor at Mississippi State University, on education articles for journal publication.

Rodrigue, who oversees all student teachers in the program, is not only a veteran teacher, but also a Nicholls alumnus. After receiving her bachelor’s and Master’s in education she then went on to earn her doctorate from Louisiana State University.

Being raised in a family of educators, it was only natural that she gravitates towards her calling, Rodrigue said.

“Being able to teach others to teach is what I love to do,” Rodrigue said. “Whatever field they go into, they have to go through us. I think we have a big impact on them.”

Courses taught by Rodrigue include Planning for Teaching, EDUC 312 and Supervision of Student Teaching, EDAS 511.

“I’ve really enjoyed watching them grow from student to teacher,” Rodrigue said. “I can really observe their growth. I hope I have instilled in my students a love for learning and teaching.”

Gabriel Velasco, education graduate from Washington D.C., said Rodrigue was an excellent teacher.

“She eased me back into the academic world,” Velasco said. “She is fair and flexible for non-traditional students that haven’t been in school in a long time.”

Laura Arcement, education graduate from Houma, said Rodrigue’s classes were informative.

“She got you excited about the material,” Arcement said. “She pushed the students to be a better teacher.”

Rodrigue said she knew she always wanted to be a teacher, but it was her students who reinforced what she felt.

While this is the first time Rodrigue has ever considered leaving her profession, she said she still enjoys what she does and will miss certain aspects of the job.

“I always liked coming to work,” Rodrigue said. “I will miss that.”

Rodrigue said the advice she has for anyone going into education is that they need to believe that all students can learn.

“If they prepare effectively, they can reach all students,” Rodrigue said.

While Rodrigue said she is looking forward to what she will gain from her retirement, she is pensive about losing a bond with her students.

“I’m at a point where I am ready to retire, but I will miss the friendships and the experiences of watching their development.